By Feature - Wildlife

Sorbus aucuparia 'Chinese Lace' is a distinctive ornamental tree valued for its unique aesthetic appeal and hardiness. It features finely cut, intricate, lace-like leaves, which grant the tree an elegant and delicate appearance. The tree produces clusters of vibrant orange-red berries, which are a prominent feature in the late summer and fall, providing a striking contrast to the foliage and attracting various birds and wildlife.

This variety of Sorbus aucuparia is celebrated for its adaptability to different environmental conditions, tolerating a range of soil types and prospering in both full sun and partial shade. It’s relatively resistant to diseases and pests, making it a low-maintenance choice for gardens and landscapes.

The ‘Chinese Lace’ showcases a splendid display of color during the autumn season when the leaves turn into a mixture of fiery reds, oranges, and yellows, creating a visual spectacle. This decorative feature makes it a sought-after choice for those looking to add autumnal color to their gardens.

Its compact growth habit and moderate height make it suitable for smaller gardens or for planting in restricted spaces. It provides structure, texture, and color to landscapes, blending well with other plants or standing alone as a focal point, enhancing the overall aesthetics of the surroundings.

Sorbus aucuparia 'Sheerwater Seedling' is a decorative and hardy variety of rowan, or mountain ash tree, particularly noted for its profuse clusters of bright red berries and lush, pinnate, green leaves. Originating in Europe, this cultivar is recognized for its more compact and upright growth habit, making it suitable for smaller gardens or landscapes. It typically reaches heights of around 15 meters.

The 'Sheerwater Seedling' unfolds its beauty in every season. In spring, it brings forth dense clusters of creamy-white flowers, attracting a myriad of pollinators. As summer progresses, these flowers give way to vibrant, red berries, which become a primary food source for birds, especially in winter months. By autumn, the foliage turns into a fiery spectacle of oranges, reds, and yellows, creating a striking contrast with the bold berries.

Besides its aesthetic attributes, the 'Sheerwater Seedling' is valued for its adaptability and resilience. It thrives in a range of soil types, and its robust nature allows it to withstand urban pollution and harsh weather conditions. The resilience and prolific berry production make it a valuable addition to wildlife gardens, providing shelter and sustenance to various bird species and other fauna. Its attractive features and hardiness make it a popular choice for both ornamental and ecological plantings.

Alnus glutinosa, commonly known as the black alder, is a deciduous tree native to Europe, including the British Isles. It is a versatile and resilient species, often found thriving in wetland areas, riverbanks, and marshes, where its roots can help stabilise the soil and prevent erosion.

The black alder typically grows to a height of 20-30 metres, with a broad, conical crown that becomes more rounded with age. Its bark is dark brown and fissured, often developing a distinctive, almost black hue as the tree matures. One of its most notable features is its leaves, which are rounded with a slightly serrated edge and a glossy, dark green surface that turns yellow in the autumn.

In early spring, Alnus glutinosa produces catkins – the male catkins are long and yellowish, while the female ones are shorter and reddish. These mature into woody, cone-like fruits that persist on the tree throughout the winter, providing a valuable food source for wildlife. The black alder also forms symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its root nodules, enriching the soil and benefiting neighbouring plants.

Due to its adaptability and ecological benefits, Alnus glutinosa is often used in reforestation and habitat restoration projects. It supports a wide range of wildlife, including insects, birds, and aquatic species, making it a vital component of the British natural landscape.

Albizia julibrissin, commonly known as the Persian silk tree or mimosa, is a species of tree in the Fabaceae family, notable for its distinctive appearance and attractive qualities. Native to Asia, from Iran to Japan, this tree is widely cultivated around the world in temperate and subtropical regions.

Typically, Albizia julibrissin reaches a height of 5 to 12 meters (16 to 39 feet), with a broad crown that provides a light, dappled shade. Its bark is smooth and gray, with a somewhat flaky texture. The tree is especially known for its beautiful leaves and flowers. The leaves are bipinnate, meaning they are divided into smaller leaflets, creating a fine, feathery appearance. Each leaf is 20 to 45 centimeters long and is made up of hundreds of tiny leaflets that close up during rainy weather and at night.

The flowers of Albizia julibrissin are one of its most striking features. Blooming from May to July, the flowers are small and fluffy, with numerous long, silky stamens that range in color from deep pink to soft pink, giving the blooms a soft, fuzzy appearance. These blossoms are clustered in dense inflorescences at the tips of branches, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Eucalyptus gunnii 'Azura' is a compact, evergreen tree prized for its stunning, aromatic blue-grey foliage and versatility in garden design. It typically reaches a height of 3 to 5 meters, making it an excellent choice for smaller gardens or container growing. The rounded juvenile leaves transition to elongated, sickle-shaped mature leaves, adding visual interest throughout the seasons. This variety is more cold-hardy than other Eucalyptus species, withstanding temperatures as low as -15°C. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, showcasing resilience to wind and drought once established. 'Azura' responds well to pruning, allowing it to be maintained as a shrub or a small tree, and its foliage is often used in floral arrangements for its unique color and fragrance.